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The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864-1933) (about)
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Cite: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3696506
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FEDERATION.
ENABLING BILL IN THE HOÜSE-OF'
COMMONS.
(By Cable Message.) , j
LONDON, Jane 23. " "*"
The Blight Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, states thait he hopes to introduce at the beginning of the next session of the Emiperial Parlia- ment an Enabling Bill to empower the Aiue» tralian colonies to adopt the Federal Con- stitution emlbodied in the Cbmanoawealltai
(Bill.
THE NKWSODTH WALES CAMPAIGN.
(By Telegraph from Our Correspondent)
SYDNEY, June 28
Speaking at 'Annandale -to-night, the Minister for Mines said the battle so far as federation went was not yet quite won. Ho had heard of some people who were going to protest against the recent vote, and to take a polution to the steps oE the Throne to block the accomplishment of union ; but if they did that they would have to admit, when they got to the Throne, that they were in a minority. When they got there they would also find that the majority would be represented, ami he would venture ito predict that the answer that petition, would get would bo that in Australia, as well as in other parts of the Empire, the majority must rule.
Mr. Barton also spoke, suggesting that im anediatasteps should he taikan, as soon as Vic- toria had declared itself at the approachiirg referendum, to .push the necessary adí.'ess to the Queen through the New South Wales ¡Parliamtnt, with the objedt of having union accomplished at the earliest possible date, "
DIS0ÜSSI0N IN THE VICTORIAN
ASSEMBLY- ".__
. MIELBOUfclNiE, Juno 28.
Ia the "Logislaltive Assem'bly to-day, dur- ing the debate on the Address in reply, Sir Bryan O'Loghlen said he regarded the Com imoniwealth Bill as a financial bungle and a (political muddle.- He thought the colonies (had made a faítal mistake in hajidtng oven" ¡the Customs revenue to the Federal Pttrlia imeult, and the public creditor was not con- sidered ' in the matter. Mr. Gillies com 'baited this view.
The motion for the adoption of the Aid ¡dreste was then passe*! on the voices, ¿ma, the House adjourned till the following, day.
OPINIONS IN NEW ZEALAND.
WELLINGTON, Juno 28
In the Legisiaitivc Council to-day, Mr. George McLean, chairman of the Union, Steamship Comipamy, sltated that should, there be a federation of Australia agutnHl Mew Zealand iit would be a serious matter Ifor 1MB colony, and the sulbjectt should en- gage the attention oí Parliament. He re igrdttod that the Ministry had not, in the IGovernor's Speech, explained their aitafitn.de on the question. , ¡
AUSTRALIAN NATIVES' ASSOCIATION. >
"Ä NATION FOR A CONTINENT, AND Ä
CONTINENT FOR A NATION."
OBJECTS, PROGEJESS, AND POWERS.
Al PATRIOTIC AUSTRALIAN i INSTITUTION.
?K- STRONG FEDERAL INFLUENCE.
"The most progressive organisation on our continent" is a description which has been applied to the Australian Natives' Associa- tion, and its main object is, perhaps, moat clearly defined in the telling words of one of Its greatest leaders, Mr. E. Barton : " A nation for a continent, and a continent for a nation." There is a sublimity in such an idea which cannot fail to warm the hearts and enchant the souls of young Australians, and the organisation which sets up this standard is, indeed, worthy of their atten- tion. With patriotism as the guiding spirit, anything Which tends to the advancement of Australia is accorded particular attention and support. A distinct feature of the asso- ciation which cannot rail to be appreciated', in these days of plain sailing, and dis- couragement of unnecessary formula or: ritualism, is the fact that there are no pass words, mysterious signs, or regalia, or se- cret gatherings, and anyone, eyen though his birth may not permit of his ever be-' coming a member, is permitted to. attend all meetings, and, with the permission of
!the chairman, may join in any. debate. Tho,
formation of social and athletic clubs, such . as aro likely to improve the moral and
physical well-being of our race, is also ? encouraged. Thore are two classes of mom-, bers, honorary and benefit, who are on an. equal footing in everything except matters'
connected with the benefit funds. Honorary.: members do no!t contribute to these, and have , no voice in their disposal ; but in all.other.
respects, Including eligibility, for , office .in . the association, there is no distinction. The benefit side of the association is a mögt valuablo adjunct, as it gives greater, co-. heston, and is mest helpful in instilling prin- ; oiplcs of thrift into our young men. The contributions are almost identical with those
of other benefit societies, and tho financial. position is declared to he ; second to none.
The A.N.A. as a national association has declared itself above party politics .of any
kind, but in matters affecting the welfare ; of Australasia they claim to bo. heard, and,' a review of their position shows .that they. have all the power to assert their claim.,. They are strictly non-sectarian, and,' In- quiring into no man's religion, they allow no religious discussion. Tho only qualifica- , tiou for membership is that tho applicant shall bo a malo native of one of the Aus- . tralasian colonies, between the ages of 16 and 40, of sound health, good moral charac- ter, and having some known respectable means of support.
? The association first saw tho light, at' Melbourne, Victoria, and was founded.in 1885
by a few gentlemen who were of opinion that . young Australia was not receiving" the re- cognition it doserved in any business par-
ticular, and that, while people were satisfied,. to recognise our ability as a nation of ath ldtes, the positions of honour, remunera- tion, and public service were in almost every case snapped up by persons from other cou»»
tries, to the exclusion., of the , native-tom . population, who might, in the ordinary course of nature, be considered to be most concerned. in the welfare of the land of their birth. Since Ithen Ithe movemien't ha¡s extended throughout all parts of Victoria, until its membership in' that colony is
estimated to total 40,000, including every native-born Australian of the many who, since its Inception, have at-
tained position and prominence. Forty . thousand represents : an immense strength, as compared with that of the many old.estab- lished friendly, societies, but it does not in any way represent the political power'of the organisation. This may only be fairly gauged from the individual strength of Its prominent members. From Victoria the movement was not long in extending to the other colonies, and it is now firmly estab- lished in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia, la all of which colonies it is having steady growth, and is a recognised political power.
Tho association was first registered under the Friendly Societies' Act in Queensland in January, 1894, the first branch being the. Brisbane No. 1. Since then it has extended throughout the Central and Northern dis-
tricts, Rockhampton, Charters Towers. . Townsville, and all tho moro important centres having their branches, the total at present being eleven branches. Including a new one opened at Ithaca during this week. In the North the association is registered under a sepárale constitution, as Is the case with the other colonies ; but a schemo of
union is on foot to bring the Northern and "-.''
Southern Queensland bodies under the one -'J'
directorate. » . "*"
This Is only one of the minor efforts
in »» federal direction which the asso-*
elation has in view, and a scheme is being ' ?" advocated to, federate the whole or the
-'iii
associations throughout the continent. It is intended, under this scheme, to in no way interfere with the constitutional business of each association, but to have the whole put under the guidance of a High Court, to whom all matters of Australasian interest may bo referred. The very name of the association breathes federation. It is not the Queensland, or (the Victorian, or tho Now South Wales, Natives' Association, but the Australian Natives' Association ; and the conditions of membership go even further, as it will be seen that natives of any part of Australasia are admitted, and the same principles govern the New Zealand Natives' Association, with which body a system of reciprocity is in existence. A member of
the order in any of the colonies may obtain transfer to any other colony if he finds it desirable or expedient to change his resi-
dence.
Of the higher form of , federation namely, the federation or the colonies, there appears to bo only one opinion amongst ihe members throughout the whole of the colonies, and that' is strongly in its favour as might be expected. The in iluence of the order has in every case been strongly exerted to assist the cause, and in South Australia it is considered to have ¡largely affected the issue. In Victoria its .influence is everywhere apparent, and in New South Wales, though the association there cannot claim to have made anything like the some progress as it has in Victoria, it-is a power which is felt through its leaders. With anything like the same amount of energy displayed in pushing the interests of the association In New South Wales as has been exhibited in Victoria, the progress is, safe to be rapid and sure; for the young men of that colony are not one whit less warm in their feelings towards the only land they know. And so it is in Queens- land wherever a determined effort has been made, success has followed, and all the weight which it has gathered and the sup- port which is behind it is being exerted to the great end of Australian union. En 'Ibusiastic members go further, and declare that, they are prepared to fight for an Im- perial federation, and with this accomplished then the time would be ripe for an all powerful federation of the Anglo-Saxon race throughout the world. All in the fulness of time, however, and the lesser before the greater will bo the motto. To those whose ideas do not reach the higher flights, the accomplishment of federation will not mean the end of their desires. In Victoria the advancement and encouragement of techni- cal education is already started upon, and ?this will also be taken up in Queensland. It Is rightly held that in this and similar directions the association will always find ample scope for its efforts, which will bo 'directed to the attainment of higher phy- sical and mental standards ot life such as are calculated to place Australia in the van of the world's progress. It is contended, by many that the rigid exclusion of all ex- cept those who are actual natives of the colonies is inadvisable, inasmuch that there aire very many people who, having been brought from their birthplace during child- hood, or who have lived a lifetime in Aus- tralia, are equally as warm in their ieellngs towards the land as many who are actually horn here. The justice of this has mani- fested itself to many of the members, and it is probable that before very long au effort will be made to provide for a class of as- sociate members to which such as have been described may be eligible for election. A movement'is already in progress in Victoria to admit all British-born to membership. Probably the real reason why this has not been provided before may be found in the 'fact that the movement has flourished so well on the present basis that there has been no real necessity to extend Its scope, but as this is to some extent a selBsh view it is anticipated that'the broader idea will prevail.
A syllabus is Issued by the branches containing the various arrangements of meetings, and the business to be dealt with is therein set out, so that mem- bers are always aware long before of wliat is to take place. A glance through one of these cards shows a very wide range of occu- pation for the minds of members, including as It does addresses from prominent public men, impromptu speech-making, the reading of specially prepared papers, debates on questions of moving public interest, concerts and musical evenings, and inter-branch visits, in addition to the usual business of the branches and the enjoyment of draughts, quoits, and other games. It is Intended during the next year to arrange and publish a syllabus representing the fixtures of all ibhe branches, so that members visiting from one district to another will not be at a loss to find out the movements of the local body. Perhaps the main want of the various branches of the A.N.A. in all the colonies is suitable meeting-places, where members could assemble and discuss matters of gene- ral interest at all times, and it is to be hoped that this want will be soon provided fur. Such a provision could not fail, to have a ^strengthening effect upon the association, and would result in increased membership and more perfect combination of aim and thought The association in Victoria has a journal devoted exclusively to its interests, called " Advance Australia," and the re- presentative character of which cannot therefore be doubted. In a column of a recent Issue, under the heading " Federal Fragments," by Mr. W. A. Watt, M.L.A.. the following significant remarks appear : -" A true federation reconciles co-opera >tive dependence with competitive independ- ence. It thus combines the two blessings nearest to the Anglo-Saxon heart-i.e., na- tional completeness and local liberty." " The love of union is a sentiment for which /men will fight" "Federalism, whose
roots aro dsep down in history, Is a plant which will fatten in any soil, wherever free men are found, who appreciate the prin- ciple cf combination for common purp:ses."
'. Australia requires something mt^re sinewy i and stable than an intimate alliance of her \ provinces ; sho must have permanence guaranteed, she musí have scversignty lo- cated, slie must have a clear line of cleavage
boiwiian State and federal powers. With- j out thase provisions, either the unJue recog- nition of, ana reverence for. State rights will prcraoie eventual disruption, or the in
evUaJiie centralising tendency will produce, a unified State." "Under íóderaliDU, Aus
tiaiia's relation to Great Britain will not be symnolUed by six or seven separate ' paint- ers,' but by. what Mr. Garran has termed ' cue woven federal cable,' which will bo made fast, not to the States, but to the Com- monwealth." Such, then, is the position of the A.N.A., the powerful representative or- ganisation of Australian national feeling, on the great question of federation, which tihey have placed first, before the many excellent object» tbey have in view.
A SbW SWUM WILKS MINISTER
' ? IX1"! liWKWhP.
VISIT OF THE HON. J. l-l. CARRUTHERS.
ÉTOiSE'N'T FEELING IN' THE MOTHER
COLONY.
QUEENSLAND NOTHING TO FEAR. -
NATURAL. ALLY OF NEW SOUTH
WALES.
FEDERATION ASSURED IN ANY" CASE.
The Ho». J. II. Carruthers, who has just buuii appointed Colonial iTeasum of New South H alea, is passing Through Brisbane on his way to the North-eastern districts of his own colony. Last night ho very eourt ouuiiiy accorded au inurwiiw to a represen- tativa of ttiiy journal.
" 'iuU is my lim visit to your colony, and 1 am wonderfully impressed with it," waa the enthusiastic rebuonac made by the new Colonial Treasurer of New South Wales (the Hon. J. li.' Carruthers) in answer to ques- tions. " I have been pretty well over all Australia now, except Western Australia. I have travelled through the other colonies pretty extensively, and when I saw Queens- land 1 oegan to think there might be a gruaicr tolcay than even New South Wale3. ii I were a Queenslander 1 should not fear my neighbours, with a fair field and no l'aviiii.', under federation. I fancy, from what 1 have seen, little as it is, and from what I lwiriied from gentlemen I met before I carno h.r&-from gentlemen who have large InturifcU lu the colony-that Queensland is pOi.csssd cf the greatest area of rich soil, and te probably Wes^ed with d10 most cer- tain of clin:a tea. -\'one of 113 have an abun- dance cf raia, but Queensland has less to complain of nan any of the colonies in that loiipt'ot. The far Üouth-v/cstern -portion I know betccr by repute than most of your own people do, because a great number of your i.i." Western squatters and settlers como to Bourke and Narrabri and other
parCs of New South Wales, and they have very often to travel that way to get to their homes. I know that part is becoming very popular with people engaging in the pastoral industry. The artesian sources of water supply are going to be an enormous factor In developing that portion of Australia. Pro- bably Queensland is more favoured in that respect than any of the other colonies.
" We have just had a hard fight, and per- haps a bitter fight, in New South Wales. Now that the decision has been given by a distinct majority-for no one can deny that 25,000 is a distinct majority-it is astonish- ing the number of people who, having voted against the bill, are now expressing them- selves as content to defer to the judgment of the majority. To-day if a poll were taken, at the request of those who were the bitter opponents of the measure, there would be al least 20,000 or 30,000 of those who gave their votes with the " Noes" on the 20th in- stant in New South Wales who would now vote " Content."
" I hesitate very much to say anything with regard to Queensland, because any re- marks I might make as* a Minister of the Crown, coming from a neighbouring colony, might be misunderstood. I know that the peoples of tho various colonies are sometimes Jealous of any interference with their local politics or local concerns, especially when, perhaps, it might be said that neighbours would have something to gain if affairs wera rnnductpfl in a way to suit these neighbours. , The only thing I should like to say, as I
said before, is that, if I were a Queenslander, 1 1 should never fear the destiny of this great I colony, so long as the barriers to its trade I and commerce, or its production, were re-
moved-that is to say, given a fair flefd and no favour, this colony and New South Wales are the two that have less to fear from com- petition in the whole continent. So far as New South Wales is concerned, the feel- ing towards Queensland Is one of the utmost friendliness. In point of fact we have always looked upon Queensland as our natural ally, and there were those who hesitated to go into the federation unless Queensland also went into it. When that feeling Is so Btrong, It is hardly fair for anyone to raise the cry that New South Wale3 is the bogey-man to frighten anyone in Queensland from going Into the com- pact. The interests of the two colonies in many federal matters are identical, and
if provincial alliances are ever formed-a line of cleavage In federal politics-well, then, those two colonies would be found standing, together on one side. We all in , Now Sviith Wales look forward to a vote
being given in favour of the bill in Queens
I land. Eut still, if that vote is not favour-
able, it will not prevent the federation being accomplished, because it Is now past all question that, even If Western Australia and Queensland reject the bill, the other four colonies will adopt the addresses and i induce the home authorities to pass the \ Constitution. So that federation will be an
accomplished fact inside of two years ; and the remaining colonies now have to look at the question, not so much as tû Whether they i are or are not in favour of federation, as
to whether they are prepared to stand out- side the Commonwealth of Australia. .
''We know that there is part of the trade
, of our colony-which will seek Its natural
outlets. For instance, there Is the Riverina. A great'portion of that trade will go, as it really goes. now, to its natural outlet at Melbourne ; , and it Is as clear as noonday to me that a great portion of our Northern rivers' trade must come to Brisbane. It only wants your little line at Southport extended down to the Tweed for a great traf- fic frcin that district to spring up to the Queensland centre. We have had that argu- ment used against federation in New South Wales ; but the argument has .not carried much weight to. Influence voters against federation, because we recognise that every- one will gain by allowing the trade of Australia to flow .In Its natural channels." As an instance of the advantage to Queens- land, it was pointed out that one of the best means of reaching these Northern rivers was through Brisbane.
Asked whether visits to Queensland from Mr. Reid, Mr. Barton, Mr. Wls->, and others were likely before the referendum, Mr. Car- ruthers said : " I believe there will be, if the people express a desire for visit? from prominent men in New South Wales ; but more in the way of hringing' messages of good-will. There Is a threatened invasion of Queensland by a number of anti-blllltes from New South Wales,-and these are men who urged in our own local Parliament that we must make it a condition precedent to New South Wales joining the federation that Queensland should also join. Now that New South Wales has determined to join the federation, you would naturally ex- pect that theèe men would use their utmost endeavours to-induce Queensland to join, so as to be consistent. But you will lind that these will bo the men who will como to Queensland to persuade her not to join. Well, the inconsistency of that action will at once throw doubt upon the conduct of those who do that. They are wreckers of
federation."
LJM'JSU 'JO 'J Uli EDITOU
QUEENSLAND AND THE COMMON-
WEALTH BILL.
Sir,-in your issue of to-day you reprint a letter from Sir T. M'llwraith, which con- tains these wordj :-" Queensland, who has not yet been heard at'all, has a light to demand that the whole subject be recon- sidered, when she can speak for herself, before she takes the irrevocable step of join- ing the federation." This sentence, to my iniuU, contains sufficient argument against accepting the draft Constitution Hill as now
butoie the doctors. \ It is contrary to all
ouf preconceived ideas of British rights to ask us to accept a Constitution which our legislators have had 'no voice in preparing. It is foreign to the question to say it is our own fault. It is certainly not tho fault of the people. Three months ago the large majority of the electors who voiced their opinions were in favour of federation, but stnee the bill has been before us, and its defects in evidence, there has been a great change of opinion. A word, now, in refer- ence to the opprobrious epithets so often used by your correspondents towards oppo- nents of the bill : " Rabid," for instance (which means mad), is not a pleasant ad- jective to use towards a man because he does not agree with you. Another term your correspondents aro fond of using is " provincials." Well, as i>ne of the latter class (which 1 am proud of) I certainly object to its being used as a synonym for ignorance and stupidity ; indeed, I am of opinion that " provincials" are at least equal in intelligence With the city man of similar education. Now, another word or two in answer to " Alpha" He says, " Oh, these ifs," " If the sun and moon were to fail," and so on. This is not argument. "Alpha" admits that, were an excise on sugar to be imposed, the consumer would pay it ; there- fore, he admits that such an excise would increase the price of sugar. " And when we felt the pinch we have the remedy In our handè, and would use It by returning sensible men to represent us." " Us," I presume, means Queensland ; and the inference is that the nine or ten members allowed as the Queensland quota towards the House of Re- presentatives would be able to sway a body consisting of about seventy-eight members. What could be handier than to raise the bulk of the extra cost of federation by an excise on sugar ? It would only fall on Queensland, because we produce more than wo require, and pay no duty. The o'thei colonies all pay duty on tbelr sugar, ,and it will make no difference in the cost to the consumer whether it be paid as Customs duty or excise. I am afraid to trespass further in answer to " Alpha," so will here
write " Omega."
-I am, sir, &a.
W. LA'NHAM.
Nambour, 27th June.